A nation has reintroduced Covid-19 safety measures after three cases of the ‘mystery illness’ HMPV in three young children have been reported as China battles outbreak
A country has reintroduced Covid restrictions as the ‘mystery illness’ HMPV, which shares symptoms with Covid-19, sparks global concern.
As China battles to control an outbreak of the illness, the Indian state of Karnataka has taken action. The government is advising people to avoid public places if they are showing symptoms of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and wear masks in crowded areas after three cases of the respiratory illness were reported.
Three children have come down with the illness – an eight-month-old boy and a three-month-old girl who tested positive in Bengaluru, while a two-month-old from Rajasthan is undergoing treatment for the illness in Ahmedabad.
Despite relaunching covid-measures, the Indian government has urged people not to panic, reasoning the HMPV is a known virus, and is already in circulation, both within India and globally. Authorities say that a six-month-old in Kolkata contracted the illness in November, local news reports
Union Health Minister JP Nadda added that the three cases of HMPV are not cause for concern, saying: “HMPV spreads through air, by way of respiration. This can affect persons of all age groups. The virus spreads more during the winter and the early spring months.”
He added that the government is keeping an eye on the Chinese outbreak. China has seen a wave of HMPV rip through the nation, causing covid-19-like symptoms, which has sparked concern across the globe. Children seem particularly vulnerable, with children’s hospitals across China overcrowded with children with symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, weakness and dizziness.
Identified in 2001, HMPV comes from the same family as measles and mumps. Although first formally discovered in 2001, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s thought the virus has been widespread since at least the mid 1950s.
In addition to the above symptoms, HMPV can lead to bronchitis and pneumonia. Just like Covid-19, HMPV can be contracted through sneezing, coughing and maintaining close perosnal contact with asn infected person.
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